Jeep Wrangler

starbucks

Hello all, I've had my Jeep for a little while now and it's doing great! I took it out on the freeway though, and I was sadly going about 70 mph the whole way. I've purchased a 2001 Eldorado to be my daily driver. I definetly plan to keep my Jeep to tool around in, but I am badly in need of a car that can do 90 mph. So I picked up this Cadillac to drive to and from work, and I plan on taking my Wrangler offroading sometime.

Overall, I'm very impressed with the Jeep. I like to sit up higher so Jeep wins that round. No comparison between the two interiors though, Cadillac wins that one hands down. Both exteriors I love, so they're tied. I plan on keeping both, it seems to be the best option.

keats

I vote stupid.

mac24

First, for Goodyear (or anyone) to say that all Wranglers have alignment and tire wear problems is inexcusable. When people tell you the earth is flat it's time to speak to their supervisor, and upwards from there if necessary, until you get someone who'll respect your intelligence.

Edge wear is often a toe problem, though it can be camber or caster related. If it's equal on both tires it's likely to be toe, one side only points towards the camber of that wheel, while wear on one tire with a pull on the steering as well indicates a caster problem. The only way to tell for sure is an accurate alignment by a specialist.

Cupping can have many causes including worn shock absorbers, snatching brakes, incorrect pressures and infrequent rotation. It can also be indicative of a manufacturing defect, but that won't also be a cause of edge wear. I agree that you should get more than 40k in reasonable conditions, but before you can take this further you need to be aware of the alignment figures for all four wheels.

kbon

According to my 5 star dealer, all wheels are within factory spec for alignment. The vehicle only has about 14,000 miles and is only 13 months old. The printout of the alignment that was done about 3,000 miles ago showed all aspects of alignment to be almost in the middle of the factory recommended numbers.

The pressures have been maintained at 30 - 32 PSI according to Jeep on a regular basis. They have also been rotated every 5,000 miles. It tracks straight. I also had the shocks checked by the same dealer and they are supposedly OK.

I'm leaning toward a manufacturing defect from everything that I have seen so far.

The idiot at Goodyear was the manager of the local Goodyear service center. I don't believe it is a Wrangler problem as there are so many on the roads.

mtngal

I've had problems with cupping on both my Wranglers, but that was because we were lazy about rotating them (and because the '98 Sport has 2 rims with different off-sets and they rub a bit when they are on the front. So I hate rotating them onto the front). Even with that laziness (and in the case of the Sport, deliberate action), we got 50,000 miles on the original tires on the Unlimited (it now has BFG AT's on). I'm not unhappy with that.

redrocker15

I have visited Germany on business, and have rented a car there. I also traveled with a German colleague on several ocassions. I did drive on the autobahn with nothing more than instructions and warnings from my colleague. It was funny on my first trip there with him. "Gary, I know Americans would like to drive here, but it is just so much different than in the States. So you should just leave the driving to me......Well, perhaps you might drive some when we are off the autobahn, but you should't drive on the highways..... If you ever do drive on the autobahn, never ever get into the left-most lane! Cars here are capable of very high speeds, and come up on you very quickly - - much quicker than in the States!..... If you are in the left lane and a car flashes his lights, get over immediately! We have BMW's, Mercedes and Porsches that are expecting to travel very fast on the autobahn..." The "..." indicates a period of time, about 3-5 minutes with other conversation. I was amused at how quickly my possible level of involvement was growing! Without any argument from me! I was there for about 3 weeks; I was especially plased that I did drive, including on the autobahn, and that he felt comfortable enough to actually catch a few zzzzz's while I was driving! Not bad for an American! (And yes, I DID flash a few drivers over out of my lane!)

One constant reminder during this time (late 80's and 90's) was NEVER to pass on the right! It is strictly forbidden! When we had German colleagues living in the States for a period of time, I re-heard all these same concerns, especially about passaing on the right. They would actually "white-knuckle" it when they were a passenger, and we passed someone on the right on an interstate. However, after they had been here a while, driving, and realized that the entire US highway system would be moving at 45 mph if we left it up to those left-lane hugging morons that we have an abundance of.....well, they took up passing on the right as well. I'm sure they still cringed, but at least they understood!

On a Jeep-related note, I guess I've never flashed anyone over from the fast lane here!

Y.H!
Gary

jacknimble

Same here. I've had 2 TJs, and both Jeeps cupped the GSAs on the outside edges, and both track straight and tires were rotated extensively. I too, just figured "they all do that" but now I am beginning to wonder if somehow this is related to the death wobble that I and many others have discussed on this board for some time.

Since both Jeeps were Saharas, I am wondering if the shocks could be the culprit? I think the shocks that come on the Sahara are optional on all the other models, so there would be fewer of those on the road, so many Wranglers would not exhibit the problem.

????

keats

I think the shocks you are referring to are optional on the Sahara. I think that Jeep packages those shocks with the 30 inch tire and wheel group/D44 package, but I'm not positive. I do know there are a lot of those shocks out there. All Rubicons come with them.

embeeduece

I've reported that I experience death wobble, and that my shocks (the optional shocks) are apparently shot. Is that the cause of the problem? Dunno yet. I think Mac has suggested it could be a factor, but not a sole cause (will have to go back and re-read his post). I've got to replace the shocks anyway, and when I do, I'm going to try real hard to induce death wobble on stretches of road where I know it happens. Hopefully, I'll have it done within the month.

-Mike

embeeduece

Okay, I hear you all. The clinometer is stupid. Certainly don't want to dress up the Jeep in something silly.

Oh, almost forgot, yesterday a driver in front of me was all over the road. Swerving, etc. Obviously not paying attention. So I got alongside to see what the deal was. They were eating an ice cream sundae in the driver's seat.

If I'd had my clinometer, I would have thrown it at her.

-Mike

mac24

Options and packages have changed a lot over the years. A Sahara doesn't necessarily have high pressure shocks or 30" tires. A Wrangler with the 30" tire group doesn't necessarily have high pressure shocks, and a Wrangler with high pressure shocks doesn't necessarily have 30" tires.

Also, because GSA's have an asymmetrical tread pattern, they often appear to show greater wear on the outside edges when in reality it's just a function of the finer and shallower tread in that area.

jacknimble

You are right Keats, I forgot the 30" tire/wheel group was optional on the Sahara, but both of mine had them, so I guess they both had the high-pressure shocks.

embeeduece, keep us posted on your experience. I've already mentioned that my death wobble went away after putting on new tires, but I feel like there is still something wrong - just no one can figure it out, and I have a hard time articulating exactly what is wrong. My mechanics are telling me the front suspension is tight as can be, and I keep getting the standard "its the way Jeeps are; ...big tires... short wheelbase, etc. I am expecting the death wobble to gradually return as the tires wear unless I can figure out something to fix it.

jacknimble

Okay I stand corrected Mac. I was busy typing while you were making your post.

I checked the build sheet for my current 2001, and it specifies that it was built with SDUP, Suspension, - Heavy Duty w/ Gas Shocks. I also checked the window sticker and at least at this particular time, the 30" tire and wheel group came with the high pressure shocks. Standard items for Sahara list "Shock Absorbers - Gas Charged" but I don't know if those are the same. Anyway, time to stop beating a dead horse. I don't know what my 97 wrangler had other than the Tire and Wheel package.

There is no doubt that the GSAs have shallow tread on the outside, but there is no doubt that both my Jeeps also cupped the tread in that same area. Maybe it does have something to do with toe or camber?

mac24

Maybe it does have something to do with toe or camber?

Maybe, but it could be to do with the rotation interval and pattern. Were you following DC's recommended pattern of switching the rears straight to the front, then the fronts diagonally moved to the rear?

I rotate my tires every 3k (when I change the oil etc.), and when I had GSAs I would always get a little noise and vibration afterwards as they wore in to their new positions. I never noticed any cupping for the life of the tires, but it could be that it was present in a very minor way but was 'cleaned up' at every rotation.

kbon

I had GSAs on my 96 Grand Cherokee 4X4 and never had any wear issues. The only difference between those tires and the current ones are that those on the GC were P245/70-15 vs. the LT 30.00 X 9.5 - 15. The GC carried a higher recommended tire pressure. They are essentially the same size tire. I rotated the tires on the GC the same as I have on the Wrangler.

This has me even more confused.

stever

It would be sort of fun to see a clinometer pegged on both scales in Tom's BP Gulch. :shades:

Steve, Host

jacknimble

Well, a Dodge dealer always did the rotation, and I also had them throw in the spare as well. I would be willing to bet they did not do the diagonals, because so many are old school and still just do front to rear, although I guess throwing in the spare could get some diagonals in there. As far as interval, it was done every other oil change, so it was about 6k or so intervals. Probably not good enough, huh?

slices17

Hello,

After having the doors off for a few months, I decided to put them back onto my Wrangler this afternoon. Everything went well, until I put the nuts back onto the door hinges. When I tightened them, I gave one of them a few turns too many. Now it seems that the treads are stripped. I tried unscrewing it and it just turned and turned without getting unscrewed.

Is there anything I can do about this? This apparently is not an emergency situation, as I don't intend to take the doors off until next summer. But I sure would like to be able to have them off again next year.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

Ray

mac24

I would be willing to bet they did not do the diagonals............

That's why I always do it myself!

If you want to include the spare in the mix always switch it with the same tire (I use the right rear), after the others have been rotated.

mac24

The easiest way is to break the nut. Mask up the paintwork for at least 18" around the hinge. Then using a Dremel tool or similar, cut or grind through one of the flats on the nut until you just get to the thread on the hinge pin. Rotate the nut 180º and repeat, at which point the nut will fall in two pieces. Now you'll be able to tell if it was the thread on the nut or the hinge pin that stripped.

tsjay

Once you get the nut off, don't even bother getting another one. Just leave it off and take the others off as well. The only way those doors would come off is if your Jeep was upside down, and then you would have more to worry about than just the doors.

Some people even cut the threaded portion of the hinge bolt off, so that there is nothing protruding below the hinge. I didn't go that far.

Tomster
Have you hugged your Jeep today?

mac24

If ease of door removal was the sole consideration then I'd agree. Unfortunately however, Wrangler doors of both types are a valuable commodity on the black market. :mad:

Obviously a lot depends on where you park, and having the doors properly secured will only slow a thief down to a limited extent, but when you consider the cost of replacements then every little helps.

Sorry Tom, but I'm feeling cynical today!

yjbob

I have been reading about your tire cupping. As an old motorcycle guy, I thought cupping had to do with two factors:
1: Block pattern tires. Tread patterns that wind uninterruptedly around the circumference of the tire tend not to cup. My GSA's cupped, but the Michelins I now have (with continuous tread "ribs") don't cup.
2. Unidirectional force. My rear cycle tire did not cup, because it was subject to forces in both forward and reverse directions, but my front tire always cupped, because the only force on the front wheel was the braking force. Thus, the tire wore unevenly in the direction of deceleration. In my YJ, the front wheels experience braking force without significant acceleration force (little 4WD time) while the rear wheels see a blend of the two opposite forces. Is it possible that a GC would have full-time AWD and thus see both forces on all 4 wheels, thus cancelling out any cupping tendency on the front tires (in contrast to my part-time 4WD set-up on the YJ)?

mac24

...As an old motorcycle guy, I thought cupping had to do with two factors:
1: Block pattern tires................

Takes me back to the Dunlop TT100's I had on my Norton Commando (many years ago)!

Actually it's as good an explanation as any, and would also explain the benefits of correct and regular rotation.

erickpl

I dunno, I'd be interested to see the reading on this...



-Paul

tidester

I don't know - looks like there's a good 10-15^o to spare in that situation.

tidester, host

mrnatural

What's really interesting is the camber of the front wheels and the difference in the back wheels. What fun!
Alan in the desert

embeeduece

That was a fun little preview of what life in L.A. would be like if we got hit with some kind of disaster.

-Mike

masterdizazter

I WOULD LIKE ANY INFO ON HOW TO FOLD DOWN THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 99 WRANGLER

mrnatural

I'm going for a trip to the High Sierra this week and plan to run some trails in the Mammoth area. I wanted to take my HiLift jack but haven't come to grips with a new bumper, spare tire, jack and jeep can carrier. So I boought some stainless hardware and hung the sucker off the front bumper (after taking the little pillows off). I secured the nuts with hitch pin clips after drilling the bolts cross-ways and hung a couple links of chain off the bumper to a padlock. Yes I did paint the jack to match Mr. Natural. Actually I think it looks pretty dang good and it works great. Thought I'd pass along the idea . I don't think I've seen another like it myself.
Alan in the Desert

mac24

Full instructions are in your Owners Handbook, but basically, remove the top (hard or soft) then unbolt and remove the 'sport bar' extensions that go from the roll hoop to the windshield frame. You can now fold the windshield down onto the hood and secure it with a strap through the footman loops. Easy!

(PS: Please don't SHOUT!)

mac24

Nice job, looks very custom. The only downside I see is a reduction in ground clearance and approach angle caused by the foot and top fitting hanging down.

stever

In case you're wondering what Jeep is up to outside the world of Wranglers:

Jeep Unwraps 2007 Compass and Patriot (Inside Line)

Steve, Host

mrnatural

Thanks! Well it is a temporary measure. Next year it will have a nice tube bumper with a winch stuck in the middle. Actually there is a bit more clearance than it appears since my driveway is about a 30 degree angle. I'll have my wife with me so no extreme wheelin' anyway!
Alan in the Desert,
soon to be in the mountains.

erickpl

Okay, now I'm jealous! I LOVE the area around Mammoth before the snow hits. You going to go up near Devil's Postpile? Not sure about 4x4 trails there, but there are some GREAT hiking trails. You MUST take pics of the area AND the Jeep and host them somewhere like Photobucket for us to enjoy!

My wife and I will be doing a ski trip this year, but not sure if we'll hit Mammoth again or go someplace new (for her) like Colorado. I REALLY like Crested Butte and the Rockie Mountains...

-Paul

mrnatural

Well I'm staying for 4 days at a place called Paradise Resort north of Bishop. Cabins from the 20's with Rock Creek running about 30 feet away. Trout for any meal.
Road trips will probably take us to Hot Creek for some theraputic soaking and some jeeping up by Lake Mary. Maybe a trip by the Postpile if time permits. I always take my wife away for our anniversary. I used to go to Catalina every year but the annual art show and the Seagrams marlin tourney coincide with our anniversary and Avalon just gets a little too busy for my taste. Its no fun waiting an hour to get your Wiki whacked at Luau Larry's, if you know what I mean.
Bishop and parts north this time of the year however are perfect. Tourist season is about done for and the crazy skiers haven't materialized yet. Lots of antique stores to peruse and a great restaurant at the resort if we don't feel like cooking in the cabin.
Yes I'll take pictures and put them up at the Bucket. Y'all have fun while I'm gone.
Alan soon to be in the mountains

05rubisahara

I don't know if anyone has the same problem..........Everytime I log unto this forum, the first page of post is much wider than my viewing screen which is 19". I have to constantly scroll from right to left in order to read the text in each post. However, any following pages are sized properly and easy to view. Anyone else having this problem or have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Harlan

wheelsdown

I have the same problem at times when someone has posted a photo. If you don't log on often, it could be a problem for you most of the time. I don't know a way around it.

Anybody know a fix?

Terry

tidester

That shouldn't be happening. Are you starting on a page that has a large photo?

Try doing a refresh on the starting page and see if that helps. Are you "subscribed" to this forum? If not, try it (using the "subscribe" button below). Then you can come directly to the forum showing the most recent postings.

tidester, host

embeeduece

Ditto. Happens when someone posts a giant photo.

-Mike

erickpl

I know of the paradise resort. If you want to go a bit further north, go to June Lake. VERY pretty area too. A little north of that is the 'back' entrace to Yosemite and easy access to Tuolume (?sp) Meadows.

We like Whiskey Creek in Mammoth Lakes. Good food and great service!

Hope you get to take your jeep on some nice trails! I look foward to your pics.

-Paul

kat_raye

I just bought a soft top '98 Jeep Wrangler. Automatic, a/c, nice stereo....peoblem is, since I got it used there's not an owner's manual or anything. I can't for the life of me figure out how to take off the top. Is there an online manual or could someone explain it to me or something? I mean, this is why I got a soft top in the first place.

jeff62301

http://bestop.com/index.php?a=3&PHPSESSID=d7cfa510471f6bdc7f0b77404c359d46

here is a link to bestop.com installation guides. they make replacement tops for jeeps. if you can find the type of top you have, i assume you can follow the instructions in reverse.

jeff

erickpl

Just reverse these directions for taking it down...

1. Pull the top up so the front edge of it is near the windshield.

2. Attach the hooks into the header, but do NOT tighten them down all the way. Make them as loose/long as possible. Then pull out the long plastic side clips that sit above each door so they are not squeezed between the top and the door surrounds (2 per side). Do NOT attach them at this time.

3. Verify that the web strapping on each side (between the middle bow and the rear) is flat and not twisted.

4. Pull down on the rear bow and attach the rear vertical corners (plastic pieces under the fabric) into the lip surrounding the back of the tub.

5. Attach Rear window completely.

6. Attach side windows. This is a lot easier if you hook the back edge of the window (the flap that ultimately covers the zipper track) onto the velcro to temporarily hold it straight and level while starting the window zipper. Once the zipper is started, only zip up an inch or two. See step 7.

7. Insert the front edge of the soft windows into the groove of the door surround. Make sure the zipper is only started an inch or two. Once in the grooves, zip the window the rest of way and tuck in along the bottom.

8. Fasten down the header hooks that you loosely attached back in step 1, bringing your top tight against the windshield header.

9. Attach the 2 long plastic clips (per side) that you pulled out from under the top back in Step 2.

10. Drive.

-Paul

mrnatural

Paul, Thanks for the tip. I should tell you though that I graduated from Lee Vining high school in 1968. Eastern Sierra is truely my old stomping grounds.
Another neat place to eat is at the foot of the Tioga Pass road. A Mobil gas station there has an international chef cookng for their deli...Lobster taquitos anyone? Cajun food is tops too!
Loading the Jeep commences now!
Alan on Hwy 395

mac24

...........since I got it used there's not an owner's manual or anything.

You can get the Owners Manual for $10 from here: DCTechAuthority

It's also the place to get the genuine Factory Service Manual and other technical data.

aimeej

My 2004 Jeep Wrangler X has the death wobble, it started on my STOCK Jeep when it only had 15,000 miles on it! It's been in and out of the dealership 4 times for a total of 21 days. It still shakes. Is anyone else experiencing this problem? I would like to know how you resolved the issues and if Chrysler has been cooperative. I believe that I have a lemon and Chrysler is denying it. :lemon:

mac24

There's been quite a few posts on this subject recently. Check out the "Search This Discussion" feature to bring yourself up to date.

spotbearsd

I had a TJ that did the death wobble at freeway speeds.. the wildest thing I'd experienced in a vehicle in a long time, it felt like a wheel was coming off.

I lifted my TJ three inches with a Terraflex suspension lift and that's when the problem began (I also had a warm winch on front).

I went round and round trying to figure out the source. In the end, simply adjusting the front caster fixed it. (i.e.-move the axel forward)

this link explains wheel alignment pretty clearly:
http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

tsjay

Ross Allen and I need your prayers, Jeep Buds. Ross almost cannot get up off the floor, and he can barely walk, His hips have gone out on him.

He has had arthritis in his left front leg for a long time, but this thing with his hips just came on today. He has had a little bit of stiffness in his hips for a while, but nothing like what he has today.

I'm scared. He is ten years old, and I'm so afraid that this might be the beginning of the end for him. Please, my friends, pray that there will be good news when I take him to the vet tomorrow. I would have taken him today, but he wasn't this bad when I left for work this morning.

I cannot imagine life without my Best Bud. How will I ever be able to go wheelin' again after he is gone? I would look back to "his spot" in the back of the Jeep and not see him there. It would tear me to pieces.

Please, please, keep us in your prayers, and I will let you all know how things go tomorrow.

Tom